Day of Infamy — January 3rd, 2020: Trump’s Pearl Harbor Legacy
US Assassination of Iranian Quds Force Leader Qasem Soleimani is an Act of War and the very definition of Terrorism

Yesterday, January 3rd, 2020 — a date which will live in infamy — the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran was suddenly and deliberately attacked by missiles from the drone forces of the Empire of the United States of America.
The official date of the assassination was January 3rd, 2020, and the official location was in Iraq when the US Missiles struck the Iranian Leader’s vehicle at the Baghdad international airport.
That all happened on January 2nd here in the US. Most people were busy getting back to work after the New Year holiday. Some were tossing out the dried and dead Christmas trees or taking down the lights — unaware that the president had been planning to take out one of the most high-level leaders in Iran when the opportunity presented itself.
The Pentagon’s official statement was that the attack targeted General Qasem Soleiman and was carried out on orders directly from US President Donald Trump. That means this was an official US-sponsored assassination which could be seen by many as both an act of war and state-sponsored terrorism.
What would the US Administration call it if Iran had targeted and killed the Vice President or one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

General Qasem Soleimani
Soleimani was a major public figure, arguably the highest, most significant leader in Iran below Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself. This was a major act of war in the eye of the international community, and an act of terrorism in the minds of Islamic people throughout the Middle East.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah, said in an official statement, “all lovers of resistance will be his avengers.” The Ayatollah pledged “Soleimani was the international face of resistance… harsh retaliation is waiting.”
Security Alert — U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, January 3, 2020
The US Embassy in Iraq sent out an alert urging all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately due to the “heightened tensions in the region”. The US Department of State upgraded the Iraq Travel Advisory to Level 4: “Do Not Travel” on January 1, 2020.
Similarly, the US Department of State Iran Travel Advisory to Level 4: “Do Not Travel” on December 26, 2019 — obviously in preparation for the escalation of hostilities in the region.
My guess is that any country that is worried the US might attack them should monitor the state department alerts to see when their country gets a DefCon 4 alert. Apparently, that’s a clear sign the US is about to attack.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted, “THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al” was Soleimani, and said the assassination of Soleimani is an “extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.”
The US Braces for Reprisals from Iran and Iranian Allies
This targeting of Iranian leaders is emboldening their anti-American efforts, and likely going to significantly increase terrorism around the world. These are the throws of regional conflict and increased terrorism that the US is unprepared for.
Strategically Bad Timing for a US-Led conflict
Just last week (Dec 27), CNN reported that Russia, China, and Iran were doing Naval Maneuvers in the Gulf of Oman. That means that Iran is at a heightened state of readiness with its closest allies who are also in a tactical position to assist in any conflict.
The US, since Trump got into office, has had an undesirable relationship with both Russia and China. Both of those countries have a strong interest in going to war with the US for many reasons. Many may try to argue that China has an economic interest in avoiding war, but the recent economic threats by Trump have weakened China’s interests significantly. The decades of US propaganda that claimed China “needs the US” economically have proven false given the fact that China has exceeded the US in wealth, resources, and economic power throughout the world.
The whole conflict in Syria and North Korea has been a disaster for the US as well. The geopolitical reputation of the US vs Russia in Syria is shaky at best. Many blame US Intervention for the millions of people fleeing Syria, and evidence suggests they are right. This has produced anti-American sentiment even in the Security Council and most countries with interests in the Middle East.
With all this going on at the same time, any regional military conflict that the US engages in depends on timing. And right now is not the best time to start a war anywhere, especially not in the Middle East. Suffice it to say that from a purely strategic perspective, starting a war with Iran right now is a ridiculously bad idea.
Meanwhile, Israel is celebrating by announcing increased security due to the threats by the Iranian Government.
Nevertheless, it is a bad idea for the US to go to war with anyone, anywhere. We can’t afford it, we’re not prepared, and there’s no justification either.
Even Trump thinks a war with Iran is a bad idea (from 2011)
Sourcing and further reading on the subject
The Intercept — Jan 3, 2020
https://theintercept.com/2020/01/03/qassim-suleimani-killing-iran-airstrike/
Time Magazine — Jan 3, 2020
https://time.com/5758250/qasem-soleimani-iran-retaliation/
CNN report on War Games — Dec 27, 2019
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/27/asia/china-russia-iran-military-drills-intl-hnk/index.html
Reuters — Jan 3, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-blast-israel/israel-defends-u-s-killing-of-iranian-commander-puts-military-on-alert-idUSKBN1Z20HB
The Guardian — Jan 3, 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jan/03/iran-general-qassem-suleimani-killed-us-trump-drone-strike-baghdad-reaction-live-updates